Game Over

STAGE THIRTEEN >> Do I Know You?

This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are all products of the author's imagination used in fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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-弟 (otouto) means little brother in Japanese. It is always used when talking about your little brother (to someone else).

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Gaming conventions were among the highly anticipated place for fans to gather and show their appreciation for their favorite games. Not only does it help a gamer connects with other gamers, but they can also find inspiration for their next gaming projects. Larger ones were always vibrant and exciting and can attract thousands of attendees each year.

Yasuda Ryoto took the liberty of announcing the upcoming conventions and award shows to their company and had the privilege of being invited to them. This was something expected, but since this was Hirano Yuki's first job, he didn't think it would be this hectic.

Yuki wasn't the type to socialize with a lot of people. Although in college, he was all friendly and smiling, that doesn't mean that he enjoys the company of a bunch of strangers who don't even know his name. Especially when the great Mori Akihiro rejected him.

Although neither one of his classmates made a comment about it, Yuki felt their mocking behind his back, not to mention that he has rivals back then whose sole happiness in life was to see him fail. And he changed after that. Mori Akihiro changed him...

Speaking of, Yuki looked around him as employees gathered in the boardroom. Everyone was there, including Kawashima Hiroyuki who was sitting in the corner, smiling stupidly while texting someone on the phone.

"Looking for someone?"

Yuki doesn't need to look to realize that the one teasing him was the annoying fan of his good friend Hikaru. "Good afternoon to you too, Kenta."

Kenta's grin was reaching from ear to ear, he teased, "He's in his office, you know. Not the one on the top floor. He got some guests with him."

"I don't care," Yuki replied, seemingly annoyed.

"Really? I thought you look bothered all morning since he didn't show up. Just letting you know..."

Irritated, Yuki turned to face the other man, "What makes you think I look bothered?"

"Instinct?"

"What are you watching me for? Go watch Hikaru, or someone..."

"I watched his live today. He seems..."

"He seems what?"

This was the first time he had seen Kenta's face like he was constipated. Did anything happen on that live? To be honest, Yuki rarely watches Hikaru's live because he has no interest in influencers or YouTubers. As a friend, he supports whatever Hikaru does and makes him happy, but he wasn't into fashion or the latest trends. If Hikaru even spend time talking about the latest gadgets or games, Yuki would've watched the show devotedly.

After much contemplating on Kenta's part, he opened his mouth to say something but stopped when Akihiro at long last appeared with unfamiliar faces in tow.

A young woman possibly the same age as Akihiro was walking side by side with him. They were followed by a beefy young man with a rounded face and small eyes. Neither one of them was familiar and Yuki bet that he had never seen them before.